Photos: Christmas celebrations around the world

STR, AFP/Getty Images12.25.2012

This picture taken in Jembrana on the island of Bali on December 24, 2012 shows Catholic worshippers wearing Balinese traditional outfits holding candles while attending a Christmas mass. Christians in Indonsia comprise about 10 percent of the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.

STR
/ AFP/Getty Images

In this image released by The White House, First Lady Michelle Obama reacts while talking on the phone to children across the country as part of the annual NORAD Tracks Santa program. Mrs. Obama answered the phone calls from Kailua, Hawaii, Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012.PETE SOUZA
/ AFP/Getty Images

Pakistani Anusha Khalid, 4, dressed as a bride, poses for a picture at an outdoor Mass on Christmas Day, in a Christian neighborhood in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012.Muhammed Muheisen
/ AP

In this photo provided by Vatican paper L’Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI delivers his “Urbi et Orbi” (to the City and to the World) message from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. Pope Benedict XVI wished Christmas peace to the world, decrying the slaughter of the “defenseless” in Syria and urging Israelis and Palestinians to find the courage to negotiate. Delivering the Vatican’s traditional Christmas day message from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, a weary-looking and hoarse-sounding Benedict on Tuesday also encouraged Arab spring nations, especially Egypt, to build just and respectful societies.
/ AP

A Bangladeshi man, dressed in a Santa Claus outfit, gives chocolate to a child during a Christmas party in Dhaka on December 25, 2012. Christians in this Muslim majority country, along with Christian people around the world, celebrate Christmas Day, a holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.MUNIR UZ ZAMAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, right, embraces Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as they attend Christmas Midnight Mass at Saint Catherine’s Church in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, early Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012.Abed Al Hashlamoun
/ AP

Worshippers light candles as they attend Christmas Mass at the St. Paul’s Church in Amritsar on December 25, 2012. Despite Christians forming a little over two percent of the billion plus population in India, with Hindus comprising the majority, Christmas is celebrated with much fanfare and zeal throughout the country.NARINDER NANU
/ AFP/Getty Images

Pakistani Christians women light candles during a Christmas Mass at Saint Antony’s Church in Lahore on December 25, 2012. Pakistan is overwhelmingly Muslim and at around two percent of the population, Christians are among the country’s most marginalised citizens.ARIF ALI
/ AFP/Getty Images

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams stands outside Canterbury Cathedral after giving his final Christmas Day sermon on December 25, 2012 in Canterbury, England. Dr Williams called for the human race to address the challenges of ‘forgiveness and rebuilding relations’ as he gave his last Christmas sermon as Archbishop of Canterbury today, before being succeeded by Justin Welby, the Bishop of Durham.Dan Kitwood
/ Getty Images

A member of Berlin’s swimming club “Berliner Seehunde” (Berlin seals) takes a dip in the Orankesee lake during their traditional Christmas ice swimming session in Berlin on December 25, 2012.JOERG CARSTENSEN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Bosnian Croats attend A Christmas Mass at Sarajevo4S Cathedral of The Heart Of Jesus, early on December 25, 2012.ELVIS BARUKCIC
/ AFP/Getty Images

Nuns and worshipers pray during mass in at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012.Nasser Shiyoukhi
/ AP

An Indian worker dressed as Santa Claus poses as he washes a vehicle at a car wash during Christmas in Amritsar on December 25, 2012. Despite Christians forming a little over 2 percent of the billion plus population in India, with Hindus comprising the majority, Christmas is celebrated with much fanfare and zeal throughout the country.NARINDER NANU
/ AFP/Getty Images

In this late Monday, Dec. 24, 2012 photo, Indonesians pray during a Christmas eve service at a church in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.Trisnadi
/ AP Photo

A girl holds a candle during a carol service at the Red Catholic Church in Minsk, on December 24, 2012.VIKTOR DRACHEV
/ AFP/Getty Images

A priest conducts a carol service at the Red Catholic Church in Minsk, on December 24, 2012. AFP PHOTO /VIKTOR DRACHEV
/ AFP/Getty Images

A Chinese worshipper receives the Eucharist from a priest as they attend Christmas Eve mass at a Catholic church in Beijing early on December 25, 2012. While China does not officially celebrate Christmas, its popularity continues to grow with non-Christians keen to see and feel the experience of Christmas.WANG ZHAO
/ AFP/Getty Images

Chinese worshippers sing hymns during the Christmas Eve mass at a Catholic church in Beijing on December 25, 2012. While China does not officially celebrate Christmas, its popularity continues to grow with non-Christians keen to see and feel the experience of Christmas.WANG ZHAO
/ AFP/Getty Images

A Chinese worshipper receives the Eucharist from a priest as she attends Christmas Eve mass at a Catholic church in Beijing on December 25, 2012. While China does not officially celebrate Christmas, its popularity continues to grow with non-Christians keen to see and feel the experience of Christmas.WANG ZHAO
/ AFP/Getty Images

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 25: A family braves the wet and windy conditions at Bondi Beach on December 25, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. Traditionally beaches such as Bondi Beach are popular destinations for tourists and locals alike to celebrate Christmas Day.Don Arnold
/ Getty Images

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 25: Lifesavers seek protection from the wind and rain at Bondi Beach on December 25, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. Traditionally beaches such as Bondi Beach are popular destinations for tourists and locals alike to celebrate Christmas DayDon Arnold
/ Getty Images

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 25: Maddy Swain from England sits inside a hole she has dug for herself at Bondi Beach on December 25, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. Traditionally beaches such as Bondi Beach are popular destinations for tourists and locals alike to celebrate Christmas Day.Don Arnold
/ Getty Images

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